How do you need to move to follow the path of grace? It depends on where you are and who you are. Over five and a half years ago I noticed the path sin and grace always took when they worked in our lives. I began to write, exchanging ideas for ink. I took those words and edited them and improved them. I produced a manuscript called Moving at the Speed of Grace. My labor was submitted to Tate Publishing and my breakthrough came when I received their acceptance of and contract offer for my book.
I thought the process was winding down until I received the submission guidelines that moves the process of publication forward.
Their acceptance was not just my breakthrough, it was my beginning. The submission guidelines helped me notice that. I now take another kind of step of faith and exchange my way of formatting things for theirs at Tate Publishing. Then we will refine and improve the book through their editorial process. We will produce a proof. Everything that needs to be done to ready the book for publication will be worked out. Then, the breakthrough known as the release date will be set and I'm sure you will be the first to know when that day is coming.
But, today, how can you be faithful to the path? Are you starting a new path like me? Are you learning to trust in a different way, like me? Are you disciplining yourself and redeeming the time you have like me? Are you in the midst of producing something, like me? Are you sharing with others, helping them to walk the path like me? Are you experiencing moments of grace and breakthroughs like me?
For wherever you are, stay on track. Be faithful to God and to the high calling God has given you in Christ Jesus. It's no telling where you will end up!
Saturday, September 19, 2009
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Possession Is 9/10 of Your Goal
A plan without possession is a piece of paper. With ownership, a plan gives us the power to move forward, face challenges, and win the day.
The old saying goes,"Possession is 9/10 of the law". If you desire to create a new law of behavior for your life or attain a goal, this is a very handy principle to remember.
If you will take responsibility for the tithe of your goals you will have the rest. Need to lose 20 pounds? Enact the steps to lose two. Then, execute your plan until that goal is reached.
I have started an exercise program. It is a mutually beneficial agreement between one of my parishioners and myself. He is recovering from an heart attack. I am preparing to run with my sister, Teresa in November. I have nine weeks to attain my goal. My tithe was agreeing to exercise, choosing a place, and marking a course. My friend Bob now makes sure I walk/run every morning and I make sure he does.
I am also writing a series of devotional books called Daddy's Little Book of Wisdom. For each volume to be written, I have to write a paragraph each day. Anything above that I'm simply accelerating towards reaching my goal.
What is it to which God is calling you today? Break it down. Tithe it to the Lord. Then, establish the appropriate steps to see your tithe open up the windows of heaven and the blessing of God produce growth and change in your life!
The old saying goes,"Possession is 9/10 of the law". If you desire to create a new law of behavior for your life or attain a goal, this is a very handy principle to remember.
If you will take responsibility for the tithe of your goals you will have the rest. Need to lose 20 pounds? Enact the steps to lose two. Then, execute your plan until that goal is reached.
I have started an exercise program. It is a mutually beneficial agreement between one of my parishioners and myself. He is recovering from an heart attack. I am preparing to run with my sister, Teresa in November. I have nine weeks to attain my goal. My tithe was agreeing to exercise, choosing a place, and marking a course. My friend Bob now makes sure I walk/run every morning and I make sure he does.
I am also writing a series of devotional books called Daddy's Little Book of Wisdom. For each volume to be written, I have to write a paragraph each day. Anything above that I'm simply accelerating towards reaching my goal.
What is it to which God is calling you today? Break it down. Tithe it to the Lord. Then, establish the appropriate steps to see your tithe open up the windows of heaven and the blessing of God produce growth and change in your life!
Friday, September 11, 2009
Godspeed - Go with God!
Go with God. Let it be your intentional choice that today you will follow the Lord. Say it with me, "I entrust my life to Jesus Christ. I serve the Lord." A transformation will be underway in you and in everyone you are around.
Time will tell. Keep your eyes on Jesus. Don't think too much of yourself. Mr. Jackson, my 6th grade social studies teacher assigned us to make a timeline of Virginia history. I would have gotten an A but lost a letter grade when I included my birth along with the construction of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel as notable events in 1959. In red ink, Mr. Jackson's response to the inclusion of my birthday: "This has not yet proven historically significant."
Cultivate your future. Even or especially if you think our time is limited, go forward with God. Learn how to do something new or better. Give love and attention to your family and friends. Tithe and save for a rainy day.
Bless somebody today. Don't delay in helping when you are able. You certainly don't want your help to come too late when you need it.
Improve your reputation. Change a complaint into something constructive. Turn your grimace into a grin, your grumbling into a gift of grace. You can only bring life by grace through faith. Any other way leads to corruption and ruin.
Leave something behind. Live today so that tomorrow others will still be thankful you were here. Accomplish something before you head into the weekend. Let not one thing you are supposed to complete be left undone. You only want goodness and mercy to have a reason to follow you around.
Time will tell. Keep your eyes on Jesus. Don't think too much of yourself. Mr. Jackson, my 6th grade social studies teacher assigned us to make a timeline of Virginia history. I would have gotten an A but lost a letter grade when I included my birth along with the construction of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel as notable events in 1959. In red ink, Mr. Jackson's response to the inclusion of my birthday: "This has not yet proven historically significant."
Cultivate your future. Even or especially if you think our time is limited, go forward with God. Learn how to do something new or better. Give love and attention to your family and friends. Tithe and save for a rainy day.
Bless somebody today. Don't delay in helping when you are able. You certainly don't want your help to come too late when you need it.
Improve your reputation. Change a complaint into something constructive. Turn your grimace into a grin, your grumbling into a gift of grace. You can only bring life by grace through faith. Any other way leads to corruption and ruin.
Leave something behind. Live today so that tomorrow others will still be thankful you were here. Accomplish something before you head into the weekend. Let not one thing you are supposed to complete be left undone. You only want goodness and mercy to have a reason to follow you around.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
